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ORIGINAL: pstrdebi

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ORIGINAL: SonInMe1

Yes, and to what end? Why do we judge our brethern?

We judge our Christian brethren to hold them accountable. In order that they may turn from their sin. We judge the world (those of the world) differently, with a different type of judgement. In other words, we judge their character in comparrison to ours. Should we hang out with drunkards and idolators... absolutely not. Should we witness to them... of course... but we don't make them our buddies because God told us not to.

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Judging is Biblical

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Yes it is....and I prefer discernment. To me, to judge means a final decision has been made. The facts are weighed and an undeterable proclamation is made. Discernment, to me, means we use wisdom to differentiate between good and evil but we leave the final decision to God. We can make decisons, no question but not final binding ones.

This is not neccessarily true. There is a difference between discernment and judgement. Discernment in the Greek is diakrisis... which carries the meaning of "judicial estimation." In other words, You can look at a person and make an estimation about them... ie: "Hmmm, there's something not quite right with this persons behavior."

We are to make final binding ones (decissions)... regarding our brothers. We are to decide if they are harming the church... harming our children... harming themselves... and try to bring them to repentance. This word 'judge' in the Greek is diakrino, and carries the meaning of "seperating thouroughly"... to "discriminate." This word is used in 1 Cor 6:5. The word 'judge' in 1 Cor 5:12 in the Greek is krino, and carries the meaning of "distinguishing or deciding mentally or judicially; to try or to condemn." 1 Cor 5:12 is telling us we are to absolutely judge our brethern, and He will judge (those of) the world.

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Fpr example...the immoral brother. Now if the church judged him, he would never be allowed to come back into fellowship....but that is not what the bible says we are to do.

The Bible says in vs. 5, "deliver such a one to satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus." This verse is refering to someone who has been held accountable, yet continues to sin. The ultimate goal is to see restoration, but if the person does not want to repent God has removed His covering, and this person is somewaht on his own... turned over to the enemy. We can't do anything about this person. We are to "turn him over"... this verse is somewhat reflecting "the last resort."

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Yes, a decision, guided by discernment, was made. He was kicked out of fellowship so satan can work on him, so he might be reconciled. He wasn't judged as evil and kicked out forever...a judgement. He was found immoral, kicked out for a reason and that was reconcilliation.

He was judged... and he was kicked out forever, unless he comes to repentance.
This verse is refering to someone in the church commiting incest, which is forbidden by the church. The "destruction of the flesh" .... the word destruction in the Greek is olethros... which means "to destroy or ruin, as in death or the punishment of destruction." This verse could mean "to be turned over for extreme personal and physical affliction or death."

I know that is hard for some to take and understand... but God is a just God and He gives people a lot more rope than we deserve.

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It might be splitting hairs here but I do think there is a difference between discernment and judgement.

Right... but not in this context.

Additionaly, the Romans 14:10 verse (I don't remember where that was brought up) is refering to a new and very inexperienced believer placing judgement on an older, 'stronger in Christ' believer... and the older, 'stonger in Christ believer showing contempt and despising the new believer.

Also, we are not to judge if someone is going to hell... only God is able to do that. But we are to judge our brethren and hold them accountable.

And I will go back once again to 1 Cor 11:31-32, "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned witht he world." If we would do constant self-evaluation, then God wouldn't need to correct us as we continually come before Him in repentance and thanksgiving.

Blessings...
Pastor Debi

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ORIGINAL: Godddy

I could read your reply's all night, I agree with your reply to this person.
I just ran from a board were, they argue, about God and His word, this board is so refreshing God Bless you. Pastor Debi,